mefistofele86
Newly Enlightened
Viking Pro v2.5 was supplied by Armytek for review
-Led Cree XM-L2 U2 cool white 5500K.
-Spot 10° spill 40°
-Ultra-transparent and tempered glass with anti-reflective coating . The transparency is 98-99%.
-Aviation-grade aluminum T6061-T6, hardness: 350-400HV
-Armytek Viking is designed with the impact-resistant bezels from both sides, the steel bezels are also covered by titanium coating with a hardness of 2000-3000HV.
-Dimensions:
Lenght: 155mm
Head diameter: 39,5mm
Body diameter: 25,4mm
Weight: 165g
- Powered by 1x18650 Li-Ion, 2x16340 Li-Ion, 2xCR123A.
-4 brightness levels: 850 lm (2h 40min), 200 lm (7h), 6lm (155h), 1,5 lm.
-Compatible with batteries with a flat contact.
-Advanced electronic reverse polarity protection.
-Threads and o-rings lubrication by Nyogel 760G .
-IPX8.
There is the same packaging of the Predator, it contains the flashlight in its holster and some extras: a lanyard, spare o-rings and button, a clip, a manual and a rubber ring. You can use the rubber ring instead of the cigar grip ring so the Viking results more compact.
CONSTRUCTION
The black, matte and rubberized anodization is an Armytek trademark. The Viking has also coated stainless steel bezels on both sides. Reflector is large and deep and houses a xm-l2 led. Anti-roll design consists only in the cigar grip ring, threads have triangular section and they are anodized on tail side allowing the lock out by unscrewing the tailcap a little.
There is a covered spring on negative side and we find a forward switch with a larger button. Button is very comfortable to use.
The cigar grip ring is made of rubber and i find it too soft so i removed it. You can mount it on tailcap and the Viking is able to tailstand.
There is a short clip. It's difficult to install because of its hardness.
USER INTERFACE
Viking PRO is fully programmable and it has a basic UI out of the box.
With the head tightened you have access to "first line" brightness levels:
-850 lm
-200 lm
-6 lm
With the loosened head you have access to "second line" brightness levels
-Strobo (15hz)
-Firefly 1,5lm
Both lines have FULL stabilization and the memory of last level used.
The forward switch allows momentary-on; if you have the auto-memorization function enabled, the light will turn momentary-on at the last level used.
Viking has two "lines" of brightness levels. With the head tightened you have access to "first line", with the loosened head you have access to "second line". To cicle between levels of the "first line" you have to loosen/tighten the head (about 1/8-1/4 of a circle) and to cicle between levels of the "second line" you have to tightenloosen the head.
First line can be set only with brightness levels from 0,1 to 850 lumens (firefly levels included) while second line can be set also with strobo, beacon and sos levels. From second line you have access to general setting menù.
First line setting is relatively simple:
1-turn on the light at the level you want change;
2-loosen the head for at least 1 second: you'll pass to second line;
3-when you'll pass to second line, quickly tighten the head to return to first line;
4-when you return to first line, turn off and turn on the light.
Viking will perform a gradual increase in brightness from the three firefly levels to maximum with a double flash at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of brightness.
To select brightness levels you have to loosen/tighten quickly the head. To exit from this menù. Turn off the light.
Second line is more complex. To enter the setting menù you must follow the same procedure as before. Now the light performs a single flash that is repeated regularly. This single flash indicates the first of five menù options. If you quickly turn off/on the light, it performs a double flash and so on until five flashles that indicate the fifth option.
To select an option you must tighten/loosen the head.
Option 1- it allows to program the selected level from 0,1lm to maximum brightness. You can also choose beacon, sos and strobo.
Option 2- it allows to reset the flashlight. There are 3 types of setting: Military, Outdoor e Custom. The user can personalize Custom setting.
Option 3- it allows to select the power source. 2XCR123A, 1X18650 Li-Ion, 2X16340 Li-Ion e 1X18650 lifepo4 3.2V.
Option 4- it allows to set the number of levels in the first line from 1 to 10, the type of stabilization and the auto-memorization function.
Option 5- it allows to seet the number of levels in the second line from 1 to 5, the type of stabilization and the auto-memorization function.
Voltage control- in both lines you can control the battery voltage. Here how to control from first line:
1-turn on the light;
2-loosen the head for at least 1 second: you'll pass to second line;
3-when you'll pass to second line, quickly tighten the head to return to first line;
4-repeat points 2) and 3) without waiting for the line passage;
5-quickly turn off/on the light.
After few seconds, the light performs two series of flashes separated by a pause. For example, if the Voltage is 4,2V, there will be 4 flashes, pause and 2 flashles.
OUTPUT
Brightness
Viking PRO is very bright considering the size of this flashlight.
Tint
Great Cool White (5500k) with a negligible green hint around the hotspot. Basically the same tint of Barracuda, ways better than old greenish xm-l tint.
Beam
Very balanced beam, perfect for general use. Hotspot is big and quite intense, spill is bright too. Viking is not a thrower as Predator but it produces a 40° cone of intense light.
MEASUREMENTS
I estimate runtime and output by ceiling bounce test. I try to be accurate to have the same conditions for every test. This time i used a pc cooling fan.
Used battery: AW 18650 2200mah
Estimated lumens after 3 minutes
687 ansi lumens
Lux at 6m after about 30s
405lux
converted to cd
14580cd
Runtime to 10%
45m55s
This Viking sample has the true FULL stabilization. The previous Viking i tested had about the same runtime but also a brightness step-down after about 26min. However Viking Pro must have flat regulation. Viking performs two flashes few seconds before turning off.
BEAMSHOTS
FirstSet 32 meters from garage (18mm f/3.5 0,6s ISO 400)
Control
Viking pro V2.5 xm-l2
Predator V2.5 xp-g2
Predator xp-g
Barracuda xm-l2 u3
Second Set 48 meters from garage (18mm f/3.5 0,6s ISO 400)
Control
Viking
Predator V2.5 xp-g2
Predator xp-g
Barracuda
Third Set 66 meters from garage (18mm f/3.5 0,6s ISO 400)
Control
Viking
Predator V2.5 xp-g2
Predator xp-g
Barracuda
Fourth set – comparison
CONCLUSION
PROS
-UI
Viking is fully programmable and meets all the different needs.
-Strength and build quality
Like all Armytek I've tried lately, the Viking has great robustness and attention to detail.
-Brightness and size
Great brightness in a relatively small size. Viking is still edcable flashlight. It's not a pure edc flashlight but clean design helps in this way.
CONS
Nothing in particular.
OTHER
-Setting
It needs some time to understand how to set all available options.
-Led Cree XM-L2 U2 cool white 5500K.
-Spot 10° spill 40°
-Ultra-transparent and tempered glass with anti-reflective coating . The transparency is 98-99%.
-Aviation-grade aluminum T6061-T6, hardness: 350-400HV
-Armytek Viking is designed with the impact-resistant bezels from both sides, the steel bezels are also covered by titanium coating with a hardness of 2000-3000HV.
-Dimensions:
Lenght: 155mm
Head diameter: 39,5mm
Body diameter: 25,4mm
Weight: 165g
- Powered by 1x18650 Li-Ion, 2x16340 Li-Ion, 2xCR123A.
-4 brightness levels: 850 lm (2h 40min), 200 lm (7h), 6lm (155h), 1,5 lm.
-Compatible with batteries with a flat contact.
-Advanced electronic reverse polarity protection.
-Threads and o-rings lubrication by Nyogel 760G .
-IPX8.
There is the same packaging of the Predator, it contains the flashlight in its holster and some extras: a lanyard, spare o-rings and button, a clip, a manual and a rubber ring. You can use the rubber ring instead of the cigar grip ring so the Viking results more compact.
CONSTRUCTION
The black, matte and rubberized anodization is an Armytek trademark. The Viking has also coated stainless steel bezels on both sides. Reflector is large and deep and houses a xm-l2 led. Anti-roll design consists only in the cigar grip ring, threads have triangular section and they are anodized on tail side allowing the lock out by unscrewing the tailcap a little.
There is a covered spring on negative side and we find a forward switch with a larger button. Button is very comfortable to use.
The cigar grip ring is made of rubber and i find it too soft so i removed it. You can mount it on tailcap and the Viking is able to tailstand.
There is a short clip. It's difficult to install because of its hardness.
USER INTERFACE
Viking PRO is fully programmable and it has a basic UI out of the box.
With the head tightened you have access to "first line" brightness levels:
-850 lm
-200 lm
-6 lm
With the loosened head you have access to "second line" brightness levels
-Strobo (15hz)
-Firefly 1,5lm
Both lines have FULL stabilization and the memory of last level used.
The forward switch allows momentary-on; if you have the auto-memorization function enabled, the light will turn momentary-on at the last level used.
Viking has two "lines" of brightness levels. With the head tightened you have access to "first line", with the loosened head you have access to "second line". To cicle between levels of the "first line" you have to loosen/tighten the head (about 1/8-1/4 of a circle) and to cicle between levels of the "second line" you have to tightenloosen the head.
First line can be set only with brightness levels from 0,1 to 850 lumens (firefly levels included) while second line can be set also with strobo, beacon and sos levels. From second line you have access to general setting menù.
First line setting is relatively simple:
1-turn on the light at the level you want change;
2-loosen the head for at least 1 second: you'll pass to second line;
3-when you'll pass to second line, quickly tighten the head to return to first line;
4-when you return to first line, turn off and turn on the light.
Viking will perform a gradual increase in brightness from the three firefly levels to maximum with a double flash at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of brightness.
To select brightness levels you have to loosen/tighten quickly the head. To exit from this menù. Turn off the light.
Second line is more complex. To enter the setting menù you must follow the same procedure as before. Now the light performs a single flash that is repeated regularly. This single flash indicates the first of five menù options. If you quickly turn off/on the light, it performs a double flash and so on until five flashles that indicate the fifth option.
To select an option you must tighten/loosen the head.
Option 1- it allows to program the selected level from 0,1lm to maximum brightness. You can also choose beacon, sos and strobo.
Option 2- it allows to reset the flashlight. There are 3 types of setting: Military, Outdoor e Custom. The user can personalize Custom setting.
Option 3- it allows to select the power source. 2XCR123A, 1X18650 Li-Ion, 2X16340 Li-Ion e 1X18650 lifepo4 3.2V.
Option 4- it allows to set the number of levels in the first line from 1 to 10, the type of stabilization and the auto-memorization function.
Option 5- it allows to seet the number of levels in the second line from 1 to 5, the type of stabilization and the auto-memorization function.
Voltage control- in both lines you can control the battery voltage. Here how to control from first line:
1-turn on the light;
2-loosen the head for at least 1 second: you'll pass to second line;
3-when you'll pass to second line, quickly tighten the head to return to first line;
4-repeat points 2) and 3) without waiting for the line passage;
5-quickly turn off/on the light.
After few seconds, the light performs two series of flashes separated by a pause. For example, if the Voltage is 4,2V, there will be 4 flashes, pause and 2 flashles.
OUTPUT
Brightness
Viking PRO is very bright considering the size of this flashlight.
Tint
Great Cool White (5500k) with a negligible green hint around the hotspot. Basically the same tint of Barracuda, ways better than old greenish xm-l tint.
Beam
Very balanced beam, perfect for general use. Hotspot is big and quite intense, spill is bright too. Viking is not a thrower as Predator but it produces a 40° cone of intense light.
MEASUREMENTS
I estimate runtime and output by ceiling bounce test. I try to be accurate to have the same conditions for every test. This time i used a pc cooling fan.
Used battery: AW 18650 2200mah
Estimated lumens after 3 minutes
687 ansi lumens
Lux at 6m after about 30s
405lux
converted to cd
14580cd
Runtime to 10%
45m55s
This Viking sample has the true FULL stabilization. The previous Viking i tested had about the same runtime but also a brightness step-down after about 26min. However Viking Pro must have flat regulation. Viking performs two flashes few seconds before turning off.
BEAMSHOTS
FirstSet 32 meters from garage (18mm f/3.5 0,6s ISO 400)
Control
Viking pro V2.5 xm-l2
Predator V2.5 xp-g2
Predator xp-g
Barracuda xm-l2 u3
Second Set 48 meters from garage (18mm f/3.5 0,6s ISO 400)
Control
Viking
Predator V2.5 xp-g2
Predator xp-g
Barracuda
Third Set 66 meters from garage (18mm f/3.5 0,6s ISO 400)
Control
Viking
Predator V2.5 xp-g2
Predator xp-g
Barracuda
Fourth set – comparison
CONCLUSION
PROS
-UI
Viking is fully programmable and meets all the different needs.
-Strength and build quality
Like all Armytek I've tried lately, the Viking has great robustness and attention to detail.
-Brightness and size
Great brightness in a relatively small size. Viking is still edcable flashlight. It's not a pure edc flashlight but clean design helps in this way.
CONS
Nothing in particular.
OTHER
-Setting
It needs some time to understand how to set all available options.
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